Last year I put together a package for my nieces - A children's cookery book, pick out an easy recipe - cookie biccies or gingerbread men is a good one. Get the dry ingredients together in a pretty jar and include cookie cutters, decorative icing etc. (You could sew them a little apron each.......)
They really loved it, everything is provided so mum doesn't have to fuss about shopping etc.
Not strictly making something yourself but it was a personal thought out gift, didn't cost very much, and they get to spend some time doing something practical.
Are you able to make bath bombs? They always go down a treat with girls (well boys as well actually!)
How about a knitted toy for the 13 year old, don't suppose you remember Gonks, but they are quite easy to knit (says me ) and you could do one in really bright whacky colours using very textured wool for stimulation.
drawstring bags are really useful, well for my little girl anyway. she has all sorts of things: dolls clothes, ballet stuff, toy farm set, dolls house set, bug hunting kit and the list could go on forever, most of these things she could have stored in a drawstring bag if she had enough of them. they're quite easy to sew and you can personalise them if you wanted to. why not see if you can get some of their outgrown clothing and make a patchwork bag or even quilt (dolls one if you want a smaller project) from the clothes.
not homemade but check with their local wildlife trust, ours run morning workshops throughout the year (usually saturday mornings) for 7-12 year olds. they're cheap, around £3 and could be a fun morning out for the 8 year old. last year at christmas time there was a wreath making morning followed by a christmas party which S really enjoyed. perhaps you could make a card in the style of a ticket/voucher for the morning out, book the event just after christmas if you want to present it as a christmas gift on christmas day.
Ooh - lots of ideas! I can't decide what to do. Better get cracking, though, and not do my usual thing of spending so long planning, that I never get around to the doing!
JC - clanger pattern please! (But I can only do the basics - might be able to learn some more, but not much!)
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) and you could do one in really bright whacky colours using very textured wool for stimulation.
